Short Sprinter Class B

[Boxster1971]

Starting a new thread to discuss options for a Class B on the Short (144" WB) Sprinter. Like Davydd I'm considering buying another Class B, but interested in down sizing to a shorter Sprinter model. I'm initially limiting my consideration to another diesel Sprinter because I like the idea of a single fuel using diesel heating systems and an all electric coach using a large lithium battery pack with second alternator for charging. Having the galley on passenger side is the my preferred layout.

There are only a few manufacturers offering short Sprinter Class-B's.

One is the Pleasure-Way Ascent TS.
Pleasure-Way Ascent Class B Motorhome - Pleasure-Way Industries

Another is the Roadtrek SS Agile.
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The new Winnebago Revel.
https://winnebagoind.com/products/cl...revel/overview

The SafariCondo L19-LX.
https://safaricondo.com/en/motorises...rinter-l19-lx/

Sportsmobile, ARV and OutsideVan will also convert a short Sprinter as a custom job. Anyone know of other short Sprinter Class B's available "off the shelf"?

Owners of short Sprinter B's feel free to comment on what you like best about a short Sprinter B.

[BBQ]

.

4x4 is available in RT Agile (option) and Revel (std).

Unfortunately Pleasureway would not build their Ascent on the 4x4 chassis.

I am not sure of the reason. Maybe it is something they added that is in the way of the 4x4 transfer case?

[Davydd]

The Advanced RV Facebook page (not the “B”ing in and Advanced RV group) is conducting a SurveyMonkey survey on the short Sprinter to determine direction. Right now they have about five (a few spoken for) and the customer is pretty much dictating the layout. Sooner or later they may settle on a base plan like their RB and EB models where you can only modify to an extent.

I think my design is totally different and I don’t know if they will adopt it for others. The survey may decide that. I sent my plans and 3D Sketchup to them last October and they were interested enough to build a mockup and initiated Solidworks 3D design and engineering the day after the Advanced Fest was over. So we stayed over two days. We are kind of in a holding pattern because I don’t necessarily want the 2018 4x4’s duallies they have on order. In fact my design won’t work with duallies. I’m waiting to order a 2019 as soon as ordering opens up the middle to late June I understand. All indications is the box inside is little or no change. Another rumor is an all wheel drive model will be offered that doesn’t hike the van 4” higher. I would be interested in that. We don’t know the performance of the gas offering yet but I favor the Rixen Espar diesel-fired heat and hot water system that takes up no precious space inside the box. We are traveling right now and when we get home in June we will commit with a deposit. Then you will see all. Still a lot of design decisions and refinement by us and feasibility to come from ARV.

The more you stand in an empty 144 cargo Sprinter van the smaller it seems. I’m lopping off 5 feet! I keep telling myself a lot of it is empty air.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Davydd

We don’t know the performance of the gas offering yet but I favor the Rixen Espar diesel-fired heat and hot water system that takes up no precious space inside the box.

There are gas-fired versions of the Espar hydronic heaters.

[ponti33602]

We started out wanting a C/B+....specifically A Leisure Travel Unity. Then thru 18 months of research we changed to a B and there were lot's of manufactures and layouts.

My wife really like the perceived build quality of the LTV but they stopped making true B's when we started looking.

When finally seeing a B in person (CS Adventurous I believe) they had an Agile and Acsent on the lot so we checked them out. Some things that jumped out at her:

- Felt more open than the larger vans. In some of the full size B's, the extra few feet is often filled up with some form of cabinet/wardrobe making it feel more cave-like to her.

- Nimbleness - Although we never drove a van around town she believed it would be easier to navigate in town. We live in down-town Tampa.

- Minimalistic - We both like to travel "smart". Meaning if we have a bunch of stuff we feel closed in and cramped. We have not gone anywhere more than a week thus far (we have been practicing using the van for 18 months leading up to retirement) and we have had plenty of space. Depending of the trip, we try and reconfigure the type of storage in the rear. We have 7-8 plastic containers with pull-out drawers that we use or not depending on the trip, backpacks/bulky versus smaller stuff better organized in a drawer.

The biggest driver in our decision was we could fit it into our parking space underneath our condo building. However if she did go to an Adventurous someday she would have it built without the rear closet to preserve the window.

She actually liked the Ascent's traditional kitchen layout but not much else. Cushions too soft for her. Cabinetry looked from the 70's despite it being well made. The flooring was old-style as well. Most folks on this site say that Pleasure Ways have far superior build quality to others but we just didn't see it although we might be thinking so due to the aesthetic choices selected for the coach decor. Also liked the Lithium options at the time. Not sure we needed them but tend to be on the "front-side" of tech stuff.

For the standard manufacturers we felt these were the best in terms of build quality.

Airstream
RoadTrek
PleasureWay - Old style and not in a good way.
Coachman - We liked the twin bed and ability to get in thru the rear if desired.
Winnebago - There build quality actually looks better now than it did 2 years back when we were looking

No regrets yet on opting for the shorter sprinter model. I still bet we would have gotten a larger unit if we had a single family home with parking only because the short wheel base models are not much less $$ so I feel like they cost more in comparison. However, like my Winni comments, this seems like it may have changed since we purchased as most stickers on the 170 WB seem to be approaching the $180 plus (MSRP) for a well optioned version.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by avanti

There are gas-fired versions of the Espar hydronic heaters.

As Davydd mentions we don't yet know which USA Sprinters will be available with the gas engine. I would imagine the short models would be good candidates as they are lighter. Buy if Daimler sticks with the current limitation of only V-6 diesels in USA 4x4 models it would limit choices. I guess we will see the available options next month.


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

[Keyne]

We spent a lot of time investigating and more importantly deciding on how WE wanted to use a Class B. For us the shorter Sprinter was and is a perfect fit. I think it is the ideal size for two people. We bought a RT Agile with nopropane so we have induction cook top and Alde diesel heat. With this option we have the spare tire underneath in the OEM MB location so no spare on a carrier off the rear, so we are as short as possible.

The van has been great for the two of us. We found that the standard layouts from RT, PW, etc. really had just more seats in them... something we really didn't need. With a convertible sofa and RV super sack, making the bed is super fast and comfortable. The van has more than enough storage for us (mostly long weekends and a longer 10 day+ trip each year) and driving and parking has been perfect.

If we were to do this again I would love to have an ARV built 144 van with similar appliances to what we have now (all diesel and no propane). I would be very interested in a less complex gas Sprinter (no diesel, no DEF, less complication), but would need to figure out the diesel appliances... maybe just a small fuel tank for the appliances.

[just4grins]

We just went through re-thinking RV's. The Coachmen 22C Ford Transit started the process. To try and make a long story short, here's we came out. Our Sprinter 2500 Agile SS is a 2014 we bought used with 10,700 miles on it and great condition. As a 144" wb we can park it just about anywhere. The bed is virtually a kingsize and extremely comfortable. We did a few upgrades like a heavier sway bar to help deal with high winds better; got rid of the Vanco tire and put on the Michelin Defenders M+S for far better rain and light snow handling, superior ride and great wear. On the Sprinter they gave us a first class ride and helped mileage slightly. The 2014 has more storage than more current models because of larger batteries in the newer ones.
As for the Coachmen Crossfit, we like the gas fuel, and the ability to have it serviced at the local Ford Dealer, our nearest MB mechanic is about 125 miles away. The shower is marginally the same size and would only be used if the campground or park didn't have modern, comfortable restrooms. The Crossfit has the 3.6 v6 turbo and a great transmission.
With our slight changes, took the tv out because we like the quite. Anyway, we opted to stay with the SS Agile, because it is agile, gets better mileage(fuel costs are about the same). The Sprinter 2500 is like the sports car of class B's. Great power to weight ratio compared to the Transit and we would have to start over with the modifications on the Transit. The Transit needs to use its space better and have more storage, and shower creativity and the driver seat needs to swivel. The bed in the Sprinter is more comfortable than we have at home. All these things are akin to living in a sailboat i.e. minimize stuff, and "a place for everything and everything in it's place."

[avanti]

Originally Posted by Keyne

I would be very interested in a less complex gas Sprinter (no diesel, no DEF, less complication), but would need to figure out the diesel appliances... maybe just a small fuel tank for the appliances.

My take on this is that using a gas-fired hydronic Espar (or equivalent) setup for heat and hot water, with a propane stove fed by a small (maybe 1lb) canister would be just about perfect. Close enough to "single fuel" for government work, avoids the power hassles of induction cooktops, and allows a welcome path away from the problematic world of modern diesel.

[booster]

Originally Posted by avanti

My take on this is that using a gas-fired hydronic Espar (or equivalent) setup for heat and hot water, with a propane stove fed by a small (maybe 1lb) canister would be just about perfect. Close enough to "single fuel" for government work, avoids the power hassles of induction cooktops, and allows a welcome path away from the problematic world of modern diesel.

X2 for us, also. We are already on a shorter 155" wheelbase and 20.5' plus the spare tire, so we can relate to all the things mentioned in the above posts, that we have found out over the last decade.


Davydd's comment of realizing how much of a 24' van is air is something that we have been saying for long time. It never really made much sense to us to haul around empty air. Of course, we are not quite as short as the short Sprinter.

[ClassB4Me]

I look forward to new opportunities that come with the new Sprinter short wheelbase platform.

Hope all the latest technology is available for the next generation Sprinter.

2019 Mercedes User Experience
https://youtu.be/yEUr0MpwcXY?t=3m22s


To-date ARV has been one of the few Class-B manufacturers to get the bathroom optimized to the point where the tradeoffs are few.

So many clever design considerations. The owner demonstration added much needed perspective on usability.

https://youtu.be/RAWesvRMeNo

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by avanti

My take on this is that using a gas-fired hydronic Espar (or equivalent) setup for heat and hot water, with a propane stove fed by a small (maybe 1lb) canister would be just about perfect. Close enough to "single fuel" for government work, avoids the power hassles of induction cooktops, and allows a welcome path away from the problematic world of modern diesel.

Spot on! Now if I can get the right setup in a gas Sprinter or gas Transit.


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

[Davydd]

A “power hassle” for an induction cooktop doesn’t compute for me. I’m committed to 800ah or more to lithium batteries fo the reason of transparency of operating a B the same way electrically everywhere and any time and for a substantial period of time. AGMs are dead to me. You couldn’t put enough AGMs in a short Sprinter to accomplish that. Not only an induction cooktop but we made our dinner tonight in an Instant Pot off grid.

[Keyne]

We have 4 AGM batteries and as mentioned above all electric and diesel (no propane). I think it depends on how you want to use the van. We live in the N. East and are not retired (mostly long weekends and 1 or 2 big trips a season) so for us we are 99% in campgrounds (some very nice ones I might add). Therefore, we don't boondock or go unplugged that often but when we have camped unplugged we had zero issues with power needs for the induction cooktop. That being said we tend to drive every couple of days so the power charges from the second alternator. For us we realized the lithiums and large solar would really be overkill and expensive vs. how we planned to use the van 90% of the time. If we lived or traveled out West with more open space we probably would have gone with lithium and more solar. It all depends on your use cases.

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by Keyne

We have 4 AGM batteries and as mentioned above all electric and diesel (no propane). I think it depends on how you want to use the van. We live in the N. East and are not retired (mostly long weekends and 1 or 2 big trips a season) so for us we are 99% in campgrounds (some very nice ones I might add). Therefore, we don't boondock or go unplugged that often but when we have camped unplugged we had zero issues with power needs for the induction cooktop. That being said we tend to drive every couple of days so the power charges from the second alternator. For us we realized the lithiums and large solar would really be overkill and expensive vs. how we planned to use the van 90% of the time. If we lived or traveled out West with more open space we probably would have gone with lithium and more solar. It all depends on your use cases.

I do not regret getting the 400 lithium/300 solar but I feel we overkilled and really don’t need it. I agree that ones intended use leads you to the best choice for your needs.

That being said I would like 800 lithium too just to know I maxed it out. Guess I’m weird that way. [emoji848]

[Davydd]

It’s difficult to get a lot of battery in a short Sprinter. For one you don’t have that massive overhang behind the rear axle to hang batteries underneath or create “basement” storage for batteries. You thus have to sacrifice storage space inside the van in an already storage handicapped van. My design task is to convince my wife you can go down from an EB van. Yes, I said you are moving a lot of air in an EB. That’s a design hint. Think vertical.

Also you hit a conundrum. You don’t have enough real estate on a roof for solar. For instance I can’t get 420w on the roof that I now have on my EB. I’ve discovered through driving habits, experience and Second alternator I probably don’t need solar at all with 800ah of lithium batteries but then without solar I would want the 800ah of lithium batteries to continue my lifestyle. Where to put them? You are not going to get the equivalent in AGMs. Solar is more critical in low ah battery designs. It becomes a higher contributor percentage wise in replenishing your batteries. Also a second alternator negates need for solar.

So think vertical may include as many as three skylights on the roof instead of solar panels and maybe more toys other than WiFi Ranger on the roof. I haven’t decided whether I need a satellite because though strangely I watch a lot of TV at home we never turn on TV or even watch videos on the road.

[ponti33602]

Originally Posted by Davydd

It’s difficult to get a lot of battery in a short Sprinter. For one you don’t have that massive overhang behind the rear axle to hang batteries underneath or create “basement” storage for batteries. You thus have to sacrifice storage space inside the van in an already storage handicapped van. My design task is to convince my wife you can go down from an EB van. Yes, I said you are moving a lot of air in an EB. That’s a design hint. Think vertical.

Also you hit a conundrum. You don’t have enough real estate on a roof for solar. For instance I can’t get 420w on the roof that I now have on my EB. I’ve discovered through driving habits, experience and Second alternator I probably don’t need solar at all with 800ah of lithium batteries but then without solar I would want the 800ah of lithium batteries to continue my lifestyle. Where to put them? You are not going to get the equivalent in AGMs. Solar is more critical in low ah battery designs. It becomes a higher contributor percentage wise in replenishing your batteries. Also a second alternator negates need for solar.

So think vertical may include as many as three skylights on the roof instead of solar panels and maybe more toys other than WiFi Ranger on the roof. I haven’t decided whether I need a satellite because though strangely I watch a lot of TV at home we never turn on TV or even watch videos on the road.

On mine vehicle the 2, 200 Lithiums are located where the traditional under vehicle spare tire would normally be placed. Keyne had his AGM's located by Roadtrek to the where the propane tank was previously......I am sure you already know this but would this setup with a 2 and 2 located a few feet apart work for an 800 Lithium set-up?

[MobileCabin]

Why we have a short sprinter

After just a few months of using our first RV (a shinny trailer) it was clear that it was not suited to camping and fishing. This started a search for something better that resulted in the need for a short upfitted van. The only one that would handle my legs was the Sprinter and a quick query to Advance made it clear that they were not interested at that time in that platform. This left the Agile and the Ascent and between the two, the Agile won because it at least made an attempt to be functional on its own.

We purchased a 2015 without the lithium but with 4AGM, propane Onan and Suburban, 300W solar and 3K inverter. I liked independent power choices so this system was fine for me at that time. Clearly, new types of power systems were starting to emerge but I expected I would find significantly better options several years later when the 6 year warranty ended on the Agile. Until then I thought the Agile would be fine as it has proven to be so to date.

We use our short sprinter for those quick 3 to 5 day trips to events and family visits for which it excels. It is truly the sports-car version of the Sprinter. But its primary use is for fishing. Here its smaller footprint makes it easy to fit in the short pulloffs in the Catskills next to those few public accessible fishing sections. I am looking to further test its usability later this year on some small access roads in WY.

The 4 AGMs have supplied all the stored power that we have needed when camping. The Onan has never been required. They were stressed checked last week and are still great. Now we either have been lucky or it is our camping style that is keeping the batteries in good shape. It is more likely the latter. We are not big power users. Except for the refrigerator, there are just the lights. In colder situations, the furnace motor does make a big dent in SOC, although the refrigerator compressor runs less, but modern sleeping bags and a love of the cold helps more. We spend much of our time when camping.....outside. This has the additional benefit of not feeling confined in a little box.

To keep the batteries charged while camping, during the day I usually have to find a place to park that is not shaded by the trees. This surprisingly is a big logistic issue for those places that I frequent. But after a couple years, I have a good process as everything seems to be working well. Could I use more battery storage, yes. I could stay in the shade longer and use more higher power demand devices like the TV.


Will we keep a short sprinter

Our next RV will most likely also be on a short chassis as well as a mass produced upfitted product. I am starting to be more accepting of a single power source. In a few years Volta-type systems should be smaller, simpler and lower cost. Better zinc batteries might also be on the market in those near-future Volta systems. It would be our luck that we would start looking for our next class B just at the start of lithium supply issues.

If the chassis of choice in a few years are focused on gas power, then I hope that the Japanese vans will be an option. Given a choice between Lexus, Nissan or Toyota vs. Mercedes, it would be great to have something that can go in for an oil change and just require an oil change.

I want lighter materials used inside for the cabinets and furniture so we are not carrying so much dead weight. To minimize energy demand, there has to be serious insulation added to the van. I am also finding that I am less and less repulsed by the thought of a cassette toilet, but since I am being positive, only if they are better.

As far as desired changes in layout, it is hard to change anything with the materials in current use. Again stronger and lighter materials may provide more options such as shape and changeability. Different designs of cassette toilets might make bathrooms more manageable.

With so many possible advances from outside the normal RV technology pipeline I will be looking more and more to Hymer and Winnebago for implementing these future improvements. Maybe there will be a Christopher Deam designed Hymer made out of composite materials in 4 or 5 years on a short chassis that will suit our needs.

[Boxster1971]

MobileCabin - great comments. Thanks for sharing. Agree on use of lighter materials. Done right even a full long Sprinter would not have to be the 5-ton beast I drive now.


- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

[Davydd]

We had a table made of a laminate covered core board that got nick damaged in their shop. Advanced RV made us an identical table with laminate to match our cabinets only the replacement was much heavier made from 3/4” plywood. So we thought we would go back to our original one but the screw holes were stripped where you mount the pole receiver. Their was a major difference in weight.

ARV has capability to make cabinets with laminate core board that you couldn’t tell from plywood but they found the durability lacking in a moving, bouncing van. They said that at Advanced Fest when asked. We already knew that with our table experience.

They do things like 4 to 8 inch radiused formed rounded corners in plywood which is why they mostly go with laminate finishes of your choice. I have 10 radiused panels in my cabinetry.